Who is Tan Dun?

Tan Dun worked in rice fields during the Cultural Revolution and did not hear classical music until he was twenty. Then he heard Bach, who “was like spiritual medicine.”

Tan Dun may be the most celebrated Chinese composer in the world. If you don’t recognize his name you do know his music! Listen to the music he wrote for the Awards Ceremony of the Beijing Olympics in 2008!

​WHAT DOES TAN DUN BELIEVE?“If we look at the idea of 'art music' with its firm separation of performer and audience, we see that its history is comparatively short. Yet the history of music as an integral part of spiritual life, as ritual, as partnership in enjoyment and spirit, is as old as humanity itself.”

There is “organic music” that features instrument made of paper, stone or water. And, the first piece of “organic music” that Tan Dun wrote is dedicated to Toru Takemitsu! ​​Listen to Tan Dun speak about the Ghost Opera in this interview from Hong Kong! You can hear this piece at our September 13th concert at PVCC!

Tan Dun on how he composes:

Festival composer sketches by NANCY SUMMERS

What Our Patrons Are Saying:

"This is a world-class festival, and Charlottesville is so lucky to have them return each year."

"Fresh performers, cutting edge compositions interspersed with classics, welcoming venues...this is music as it should be."